Barry - Amersham tutor





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Information About Barry:


Personal Description:

I began teaching Spanish back in the 1970s and formally qualified as a Modern Language Teacher in 1982, having done my teacher training (P.G.C.E.) at Leeds Trinity University. I have taught Spanish at various levels and at various institutions and also spent 15 years at Feltham Community School teaching evening classes at G.C.S.E. level. I have lived and travelled abroad, notably Mexico, Spain and Argentina, where I met my wife (we have a bilingual daughter as we speak Spanish in the home). I also spent many years as a translator and interpreter for various organizations before a long career in I.T. at British Airways. I have now returned to my first love of languages.



Teaching Experience:

1976-present Freelance Translation work covering Airport, Aircraft, Commercial, Banking (Spanish and Portuguese);
Freelance Teacher of Spanish
1986 - 2001
Feltham Community School Teacher of Spanish (evening classes) - students took GCSE exams
1985 - 1988
Collier McMillan Working on Spanish-English Dictionary
1982-1985
Joint Technical Language Service, Cheltenham Linguist Specialist (Spanish, Portuguese, Galician, Guaranĩ, French, plus responsibility for Swedish) - translator and also wrote my own Spanish Language courses for special purposes
1981-1982
EFE (Spanish News Agency)
London Translator/Sub-editor for English Service Latin American Reports
1980-1981
McMillan LTR, Knutsford Lecturer in Spanish
1976-1978
Barclays Bank International
London Translator/Interpreter in Spanish and Portuguese



Tutoring Approach:

I teach both in small groups and one-to-one depending on the individual requirements. My style varies depending on age and whether the student is studying for an exam. For those wishing to take the GCSE or other exams in Spanish, I will cover the syllabus of the individual's exam board: in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire this is currently AQA, whereas in Middlesex, where I used to teach, it is AEB. With adults, depending on the level and groups size (if teaching a group), I sometimes use the sort of techniques employed in teaching English as a Foreign Language.
In all cases I use the medium of Spanish, depending on the level, but where necessary will explain particular aspects of grammar in English.
I have worked for many years in industry, so I do not cover just academic language. For example, in the past I have taught students from Trading Companies, Health Care organizations, Banks, government organizations, airlines etc.



Map showing Barry's location

Qualifications:

  • PGCE Modern Languages and TEFL
  • M.Phil Spanish and Galician
  • BA Hons Latin American Studies
  • M.I.L. Institute of Linguists in Spanish

Further Information:

Availability:  Weekdays (daytime)
Types of Tutoring:   Travels to you / From their home / Online
References Supplied?   Yes
Current DBS/CRB Check?   Yes
Additional Languages Spoken:   Latin, English, Spanish, French, Galician, Guarani